Updating firmware and re-programming installed equipment can be a nightmare, especially if you are a machine builder sending systems all over the world.
Now there is a novel solution to the problem, with a world-leading supplier of HMI products showing an interesting way forward.
Keeping pace with technology trends
In the dynamic machine builder marketplace, manufacturers want to keep pace with technology to achieve a competitive advantage, but do not want the continual expense of changing machine designs to accommodate new HMI products. In the past they had to make do with installing the latest in HMI technology, and sit and watch helplessly as the hardware remained at the cutting edge, while the internal firmware fell behind the times.
If machine builders wish to overcome the problem of updating the HMI in their remote systems, what are their options? If they want a low cost, simple to implement system that makes it easy to update customers without the enormous expense of travelling to the site, what can they offer?
They could consider updating via the Internet, but this is not always an option due to the difficulties of getting a phone line or Ethernet connection to some factories. They could look at sending updates and programs out on CDs, for the local staff to transfer using standard HMI programming tools, however, this may give concerns about customers altering code or transferring the wrong data.
What machine builders require is the option of using a simple intuitive tool giving them a cost-effective solution, which does not even require power from the local machine. One answer to these problems is personal data assistants (PDAs), manufactured by companies such as Palm, running software such as 'HMI Tools for Palm handhelds' from Beijer Electronics.
HMIs are built for continual improvement
With the HMI revolution over the last few years, the technology level and increased flexibility implemented by HMI manufacturers is incredible. Products such as the operator terminals in Beijer Electronics' CIMREX range are intelligent and developed for continuous improvement. In the CIMREX series, the firmware consists of two main elements, the system program, which includes networking functionality such as Web server, SMTP client and FTP server, and the driver firmware. System programs and drivers are updated independently to benefit from the latest improvements and new features. Additionally, reflection via Internet of the HMI using Java applets provides an easy-to-use tool for remote monitoring and control. The applets are stored either in the terminal or in the PC.
With its new 'HMI Tools for Palm handhelds', Beijer Electronics offers customers a simple and friendly tool for transferring data, projects and system programs, in a hardware medium that is used in everyday life. A system based on a Palm comes in a compact size and eliminates the need for any dedicated programming tools training.
PDAs are household tools
Jürgen Bischhaus, managing director of Beijer Electronics in Germany explains, "In 1996, Palm released their first Personal Data Assistant, and the consequent success of the Palm has made it a household tool in all walks of life. Now with over 140 000 registered developers of tools and applications to run on the Palm operating system platform, they can be used for dealing with a host of other automation monitoring and maintenance applications and not just for the Beijer operator terminals. The latest Palm PDAs are affordable and durable, opening up new application possibilities for the industrial marketplace. Small enough to fit into a pocket and powerful enough to do a host of useful activities, the Palm is here to stay."
For direct RS232 connection from the PDA to the HMI, operators can use Palm's own Serial HotSync cable combined with a Beijer Electronics CAB12 converter. RS232 is chosen as the main communications medium, as the PDA and the operator terminals both have RS232 ports as standard.
This new palmtop application from Beijer Electronics is downloadable free of charge from Beijer Electronics' homepage ( www.beijerelectronics.com), where the user will also find details on Palm models and OS requirements.
Before installing the application, users must first install the Hot Sync Manager software that comes with the PDA. When the Hot Sync Manager is installed on the PC, the user then installs the 'HMI Tools for Palm handhelds' software and after synchronising, the PDA is ready for use. The software allows the operator to transfer projects to an operator terminal using the HMI Project utility. Import and export of other information stored in the terminal, such as trend data, alarm information and Web pages is conducted via the HMI Files function. The terminal's system program can be updated with the HMI Sysload utility.
The palmtop application is easy to use. Once the software is synchronised to the Palm, the display shows the three new icons (HMI Files, HMI Project and HMI Sysload). To activate any of the tools the operator clicks the icon as with any other Palm application and the display changes, showing a simple transfer menu. As any other function in the terminal, transfer access can be controlled via prompted passwords dependent on settings in the operator terminal.
Using a PDA facilitates a host of other activities such as time planners, event recording, phone log, etc, making it suitable for scheduling maintenance and giving instant access to contact data, should a machine problem arise. PDAs typically come with a cut down version of Microsoft Office applications giving even greater reporting possibilities.
Should a user wish to expand the PDA there are numerous accessories offered by the manufacturers of the devices, such as external keyboard connections and other extras that can make PDAs more pleasant to use.
Internet enabling offers new possibilities
Using Palm.net allows a Palm wireless access to the Internet (where service is available). If access to the operator terminal is required, without interrupting production, the CIMREX series' unique Internet features come into their own. A maintenance engineer can now connect the PDA to the operator terminal via the Internet and view realtime data on the Web pages stored in the terminal, independently of what is displayed on the terminal's screen. Consequently, a great advantage is achieved as maintenance work can be carried out without troubling the machine operator (on higher level PDA models only).
It is clear that in some applications a laptop PC or connection to the operator terminal via a network is the preferred option. However, when there is a need for the direct approach, the new 'HMI Tools for Palm handhelds' from Beijer Electronics is undoubtedly a worthwhile solution to many maintenance and upgrade problems.
For more information contact Rolf Lung, Varispeed, 011 466 0830, [email protected], www.varispeed.co.za
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